Window and screen combination

ABSTRACT

A sliding window and screen combination wherein visibility through the sliding window, when closed, is not encumbered by the screen, but wherein the screen covers the window opening when the window is open. A screen, disposed upon a spring-loaded roller, is separably attached to the frame of the slidable window such that the screen unrolls to cover the window opening as the window is moved to the open position and again rolls up as the window is closed.

United States Patent Hoover et al.

[ WINDOW AND SCREEN COMBINATION [76] Inventors: D. Eugene Hoover; Kenneth T.

Morris, both of 247 Paradise Cove, 28128 Paradise Coast Highway; John A. Sheafor, 255 Paradise Cove, 28128 Pacific Coast Highway, all of Malibu, Calif. 90263 [22] Filed: Sept. 27, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 401,423

[52] US. Cl.. 160/100; 160/102; 160/28 [51] Int. Cl. E06B 9/08 [58] Field of Search 160/100, 101, 102, 27, 160/28 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 934.357 9/1909 Rhoads 160/100 UX 1,067,075 7/1913 Swanson 160/100 UX Oct. 14, 1975 1,177,434 3/1916 Montgomery et 160/100 UX 1,329,929 2/1920 Sandberg... 160/100 UX 1,849,371 3/1932 Gronbech.. 160/27 X 2,261,443 11/1941 McGawui l60/28 2,342,341 2/1944 Hoover 160/1OO X 2,406,761 9/ 1946 Golkowski 160/ 100 Primary Examiner-Philip C. Kannan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lowell G. Turner ABS IRAC'I A sliding window and screen combination wherein visibility through the sliding window, when closed, is not encumbered by the screen, but wherein the screen covers the window opening when the window is open. A screen, disposed upon a spring-loaded roller, is separably attached to the frame of the slidable window such that the screen unrolls to cover the window opening as the window is moved to the open position and again rolls up as the window is closed.

5 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 2 3,911,990

US. Patent 0a 14, 1975 US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet2 012 WINDOW AND SCREEN COMBINATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is highly desirable, indeed essentially mandatory, that sliding windows in homes, offices and other buildings be provided with a screen to protect against the entrance of undesirable insects and the like when the window is open. This is usually accommodated by providing a fixed, semi-permanent screen over the window opening, the screen being so positioned irrespective of whether the window is open or closed.

When the screen is thus positioned it is normally very effective in obviating the problem of insect entrance. Unfortunately, however, its presence also results in a permanent impairment of visibility through the slidable portion of what might otherwise be termed a picture window. Thus, it is apparent that it would be desirable to facilitate the absence of the screen at such time as the window is closed, thereby greatly enhancing visibility, while providing for its presence when the window is open, thereby accommodating the desirable insect protection.

Additionally, the continuous presence of screen over slidable windows results in the generation of significant difficulties in cleaning both the windows and the screens. In the usual case the screen must be removed through what usually proves to be an arduous and timeconsuming task as a part of such cleaning projects.

It is often necessary in building maintenance procedures to replace window screens. The procedure can also be time-consuming, burdensome and costly. When it becomes necessary to also replace the screen frames, the cost sometimes becomes prohibitive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention described herein overcomes each of the noted deficiencies through a few relatively simple, but highly effective expedicnts, utilized in a unique combination.

Briefly, the relatively recent availability of screen fabricated from relatively new and highly flexible proprietary materials permit the screen to be rolled repeatedly in a relatively tight pattern without detrimental effect. This is the converse of metal screens, which would soon suffer from the effects of destructive metal fatigue under similar circumstances.

In this invention a spring-loaded roller, reminiscent in structural concept to conventional window blind rollers, is oriented adjacent the window frame and the near edge of the slidable window. One end of a screen is attached to the roller and the opposite edge is detachably connected to the noted window edge. As the window is opened the screen is unwound from the rollerand is moved into a position covering the window opening, the upper and lower screen edges contacting adjacent portions of the window frame.

Simple detachment of the free end of the screen from the window facilitates easy window cleaning without the necessity of removing a screen frame. Similarly, replacement of the screen can be accomplished by simply detaching the screen from the window, removing the roller from its installed position and replacing the screen upon the roller unit. Alternatively, the entire roller and screen assembly can be replaced.

The flexing of the screen as it is periodically wound upon and unwound from the roller, particularly when it is simultaneously wiped by a contacting seal unit,

provides a self-cleaning action which tends to maintain the cleanliness of the screen.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a window and screen combination which facilitates maximum visibility while providing the required screen coverage.

Another object is to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive structure to accommodate the abovedescribed object.

A further object is to provide an automatically stored screen arrangement which is self-cleaning, easily detachable for ease and economy of window cleaning and screen replacement.

Other objects of invention will become apparent upon examination of the following specification and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical window and screen combination as taught by this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1, showing the primary structural features;

FIG. 3 is an alternative sectional view of'a roller configuration;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a typical screen-to-window installation;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a typical installation of a screen-to-window guide strip configuration, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a similar view of an alternative embodiment of a screen-to-window guide strip configuration;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a typical screen roller installed in a window frame, the screen partly cut away to better illustrate the roller mechanism; and

FIG. 8 is a view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing the screen and guide strip structure in the region of the roller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The window and screen combination of this invention is illustrated in a usual configuration in FIG. I. It is also shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2, 4, 7 and 8, with variations thereof appearing in FIGS. 3 and 6.

In FIG. 1 the sliding window and screen combination of the invention is indicated by the numeral 10, the combination being installed within what is intended to be representative of a broad range of window frames 12. A fixed window 14 installed in its frame 16 is further retained in the basic window sash 18 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Installed in the same sash 18 in parallel relation to the window 14 and frame 16 is a slidable window 20 in its frame 22, the components of these fixed and slidable windows being substantially the same as standard windows of general character. Although the window components are shown herein in a particular configuration, it will be recognized that such configuration may be altered to reasonable extend without interfering with or departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. The fixed and slidable window combination may be provided with conventional locking mechanisms such as illustrated at 24 and 26 in FIG. 1. It may also include suitable seals to prevent the entrance of insects and other foreign matter along the window channels, essentially as illustrated at 28 in FIG. 1 and 30 and 31 in FIG. 4, it being understood that these seals are representative only of a broad variety of seals which could be similarly installed. Additionally, seal means may obviously be provided in the location indicated as 32 (FIG. 2) to seal between the frame 16 and the window 20.

Affixed to the frame 12 are a pair of brackets 34 and 36 which support screen roller mechanism 38. This mechanism is most specifically illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Therein a post 40 is rigidly fixed to the lower bracket 34 and extends upward partially through a rotatable cylinder 42. The cylinder 42 includes a perforated plate 44 upon its lower extremity and a similar plate 46 upon its upper extremity. The post 40 extends through this perforation in the lower plate 44. A similar second post 48 which is attached to the plate 46 extends into the bracket 36, or vice versa.

Wrapped around the post 40 with one of its ends attached to that post and the opposite end attached to the cylinder 42 is a spiraled spring member 50. Thus, a rotation of the cylinder 42 in one direction relative to the post 40 and the brackets 34 and 36 will cause the spring 50 to be wound into a tension relationship such that a release of the force which turned the cylinder 42 will result in the spring causing the cylinder 42 to rotate in the opposite direction, returning the cylinder to its initial position.

Wrapped around the cylinder 42 with one end attached thereto in an orientation longitudinally of the cylinder 42 is a flexible screen 52. The screen is of a width or length, as the case may be, substantially coextensive with the length of the cylinder 42 so as to encompass substantially the entire length thereof. The end of the screen 52 opposite that attached to the cylinder 42 is fixedly retained in a bracket member 54, essentially as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. The bracket member 54 includes a lip portion 56 adapted for engagement with a similar lip 58 which defines a portion of a bracket 60 attached to the slidable Window frame As will be noted in examining FIGS. 2 and 8, most particularly, that the window sash 18 is provided with an Opening or a slot 62 therethrough to accommodate the relative movement of the screen. Such a slot is provided at both the top and bottom of the frame, although the bottom portion only is illustrated. FIG. 8 particularly illustrates that the frame 18 in the location of the slot 62 may be bent, as at 64 and 66 to facilitate a smooth and chafe-resistant movement of the screen 52 therebetween. A separate guide member 68 may optionally be provided to facilitate guidance of the screen where desirable. This guide member may be suitable attached to adjacent structure in a conventional manner, not illustrated. Its exact placement may also be varied in accordance with the physical dimensions available in a particular window design. I

When the slidable window is in its closed position the tension on the spring member 50 will be substantially released. As the window 20 is opened or moved to any intermediate position, the engagement of the bracket 54 with the bracket 60 causes the flexible screen 52 to be drawn from its roller 38, through the slots 62 so as to bear against a surface of an inner flange 70 of the window sash 18 in a firmly sealing relationship, essentially as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, and as most specifically shown in FIG. 5. Thus, regardless of the extent to which the slidable window 20 is opened, the screen 52 encompasses the entire opening thereof. Additionally, as the window 20 is moved to its open position the spring 50 is wound upon the post 40. This provides a constant tension against the screen 52,

maintains the orientation of the screen in a taut relationship with respect to the other window components and facilitates a constant and even rewinding of the screen 52 upon the roller 38 when the window is again 5 moved toward the closed position.

It will be recognized that certain deviations from the design characteristics described in detail above may be accommodated without departing from the basic intent of the invention. Representative of such variations are the showings of FIGS. 3 and 6. Therein an additional flange member 72 is oriented in parallel relationship to the inner flange 70 of the sash 18. In a typical installa tion a base leg of the flange 72 is installed under the s'ash 18 between the sash and the frame 12, as shown 5 in FIG. 6. A space 74 is provided between the flanges 70 and 72 to facilitate the receipt of the screen 52 therebetween. Thus, the combination of the two flanges act as a guide and a seal for the edges of the screen 52 at both the upper and the lower extremities of the window. This configuration obviates the necessity for providing a slot 62.

It is sometimes desirable to provide an additional roller, as illustrated at 76 in FIG. 3, particularly when utilizing the aforedescribed double flange arrangement, thereby providing an additional guide to better direct the screen 52 into its proper orientation between flanges 70 and 72.

It will also be apparent that, while the aforedescribed window and screen combination is so described in a horizontal window opening relationship, with the screen roller being vertically oriented, the invention is equally as susceptible of being rotated 90 such that the window opens and closes in a vertical relationship, the screen roller being positioned to rotate upon a horizontal axis.

Wiping members, such as the strips 78 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 8 are sometimes provided for the dual purpose of providing a seal against the entrance of foreign objects in the wiper regions and automatically cleaning the screen as it is rolled onto and off of the roller 38. A variety of materials may be utilized for these wipers, such as felt materials, foamed plastic, etc. The wipe s 78, in the usual case, are attached by gluing or other appropriate attachment means to the window sash 18. The exact location shown is not critical to the invention.

The screens 52 are preferably fabricated from flexible materials such as those proprietary materials known as Nylon, Teflon or Fibre-glass, or the like, as opposed to metallic screens which would be susceptible to work hardening destruction as a result of the continual winding and unwinding of the screen. In any event, any material which is sufliciently capable of winding easily in the relationships described without substantial deterioration of the materials out of which the screen is fabricated is considered suitable for use in this invention.

It will be recognized that the described configurations may be departed from to reasonable extent without departing from either the spirit or the scope of the invention, the intent being that the scope of protection afforded will be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. A slidable window and screen combination mountable in a window frame and comprising: a window sash within which the slidable window is adapted to move;

said sash including a pair of flange members extending inward and generally toward one another on opposite sides of said sash;

a plurality of windows mounted in said sash, one of said windows being fixed and one being slidable to open and closed positions and having an edge contacting and closing against said window sash;

a roller mounted internally of said windows with its primary axis in parallel relation to said window edge;

a screen upon said roller, attachable to said window edge and adapted to be dispensed from and rewound upon said roller responsive to movement of said window;

spring means connected to said roller to cause its rotation for controlling the dispensing of and for retracting said screen;

interengaging generally U-shaped bracket means upon said slidable window and said screen and adapted for disengagement for removing said screen from said slidable window;

slot means in each said flange adjacent said roller, said rollcr being positioned on one side of said flange with said screen leading from said roller, through said slot means and into said attachment to said window;

said flange on at least one side of said slot means being curved to facilitate a smooth, chafe-free movement of said screen through said slot means; and

said screen, after passing from said roller through said slot, being positioned in firm contact with one surface of said flange, tension being maintained upon said screen by said spring means, thereby maintaining such contact.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein wiper means is provided adjacent said roller and extending into contact with an exterior surface of said screen to wipe and seal against the same.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein a guide member is positioned in parallel relation to said roller adjacent said slot means for receiving, supporting and guiding said screen through said slot means.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein a second roller is provided in parallel adjacent relationship to said first-mentioned roller and said window edge, said second roller being so positioned to receive said screen therearoimd from said firstmentioned roller and direct the same into juxtaposition against said flanges in sealing relation therewith.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein a second flange is positioned in spaced, parallel relation to each of said first-mentioned flanges, an edge of said screen being positioned between said flanges and movable therebetween as said window 

1. A slidable window and screen combination mountable in a window frame and comprising: a window sash within which the slidable window is adapted to move; said sash including a pair of flange members extending inward and generally toward one another on opposite sides of said sash; a plurality of windows mounted in said sash, one of said windows being fixed and one being slidable to open and closed positions and having an edge contacting and closing against said window sash; a roller mounted internally of said windows with its primary axis in parallel relation to said window edge; a screen upon said roller, attachable to said window edge and adapted to be dispensed from and rewound upon said roller responsive to movement of said window; spring means connected to said roller to cause its rotation for controlling the dispensing of and for retracting said screen; interengaging generally U-shaped bracket means upon said slidable window and said screen and adapted for disengagement for removing said screen from said slidable window; slot means in each said flange adjacent said roller, said roller being positioned on one side of said flange with said screen leading from said roller, through said slot means and into said attachment to said window; said flange on at least one side of said slot means being curved to facilitate a smooth, chafe-free movement of said screen through said slot means; and said sCreen, after passing from said roller through said slot, being positioned in firm contact with one surface of said flange, tension being maintained upon said screen by said spring means, thereby maintaining such contact.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein wiper means is provided adjacent said roller and extending into contact with an exterior surface of said screen to wipe and seal against the same.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein a guide member is positioned in parallel relation to said roller adjacent said slot means for receiving, supporting and guiding said screen through said slot means.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein a second roller is provided in parallel adjacent relationship to said first-mentioned roller and said window edge, said second roller being so positioned to receive said screen therearound from said first-mentioned roller and direct the same into juxtaposition against said flanges in sealing relation therewith.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein a second flange is positioned in spaced, parallel relation to each of said first-mentioned flanges, an edge of said screen being positioned between said flanges and movable therebetween as said window is opened and closed. 